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Mission

“Grants from the University Cultural Events Committee provide partial
funding
for new or existing programs which enhance the cultural environment of
the University. Funded activities must be of interest to a significant
number of students in a given discipline or be available to the student
population in general.”

History

A university-wide committee focusing on activities in the visual and
performing
arts at Western Michigan University dates back to the early 1950s when
a Festival of Arts highlighted programming each year including
regularly
scheduled campus events as well as guest artists.

While Miller Auditorium was under construction in the late 1960s,
the
University took steps to create its Cultural Events Committee (CEC) to
guide programming for this new facility. An advisory group originally
addressed
two tasks: (1) Function in an advisory capacity to schedule and
promote
an “international” concert series intended to bring the world’s most
outstanding
performing artists and ensembles to Miller Auditorium; and (2)
Encourage
student involvement in fine arts programming and audience development.

The CEC had a substantial annual budget at the time (approximately
$26,000).
Most of these funds were used to subsidize student attendance at the
new
International Concert Series. The committee retained a smaller portion
for discretionary use to support other cultural events on the campus.

Membership

Since its beginning, CEC membership has enjoyed campus-wide
representation
with one or more members from each of the University’s colleges. As the
committee’s involvement in Miller Auditorium’s programming dissipated,
committee membership generally stabilized at one representative from
each
of several colleges. Evolution to the committee’s mission also reduced
the budget which is presently around $11,000 annually.

Auspices

The committee serves at the pleasure of the Provost and Vice President
for Academic Affairs, who provides its funds and appoints its members
and
chairperson. The terms of service are indefinite, once again at the
discretion
of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Contact Person

The current committee chairperson is Dr. Julie Nemire, The
Graduate College,
260W Walwood Hall. She can be reached at (269) 387-8208.